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Program Description

An injury can impact the quality of someone's life for years to come - or permanently. Representing an injured party is an enormous responsibility. The techniques you use during a case will impact both your client's future well-being and your viability as a competent practitioner. Do you have the knowledge you need to ensure a favorable outcome? Build your skills from the convenience of your office! You'll learn best practices for assessing a variety of personal injury cases, take a closer look at the statutes that govern liability and damages, and walk through the basics of civil practice and procedure, so you'll know what to do. Discover when it's in your client's best interest to settle, when you'll need to go to trial, and more. Order today!

Course Content

Developing Case Strategy Through Preparation

Understanding the Law of Damages

Basics of Civil Practice and Procedure

Ethical Considerations for the Plaintiff's Attorney

Personal Injury Settlements

Trial of the Plaintiff's Personal Injury Case

Agenda / Content Covered

Written and presented by Robert B. Buckalew, Floyd A. Healy and R. Shane Strabala.

DEVELOPING CASE STRATEGY THROUGH PREPARATION9:00 - 10:00

Introduction

Initial Considerations for the Plaintiff and Defendant

Thorough Case Investigation Techniques

Things to Consider When Evaluating the Issue of Liability

Evaluating Damages in a Personal Injury Case

Damages for Wrongful Death and Loss of Life

Pleadings in the Auto Injury Case

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW OF DAMAGES10:15 - 11:15

Economic Damages

Non-Economic Damages

Wrongful Death and Survival Claims

BASICS OF CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE11:15 - 12:15

Assessment of Particular Case Types - Interviews and Investigation

Automobile Accident Cases

Slip and Fall Cases

Product Liability Cases

Others

The Discovery Process

Written Discovery

Informal Discovery Including Public Sources of Information

Taking and Defending Depositions

Social Media and Discovery

Initial Court Filings

Preparing Evidence Prior to Trial

Understanding the Rules of Evidence

Documentary Evidence

Testamentary Evidence

Demonstrative Evidence

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY1:15 - 2:15

The Contingent Fee

The Costs of Litigation - What is a Legitimate Cost?

Advertising Legal Services

Candor Toward the Tribunal

Meritorious Claims and Contentions

Conflicts of Interest in Plaintiff Cases

Ethical Dangers of Using Social Media

PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENTS2:30 - 3:30

Negotiation Techniques

Mediation as a Settlement Tool

Subrogation Interests

Medicare Set-Asides

CMS Update

Recent Case Law

Tips for Communicating With CMS

Speeding Up the Approval Process

Structured Settlements

Understanding the Joint Tortfeasor Release and Other Releases

TRIAL OF THE PLAINTIFF'S PERSONAL INJURY CASE3:30 - 4:30

How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes Made by New Attorneys

Jury Selection - Voir Dire and Jury Questionnaires

The Basics of an Opening Statement

Presentation of Evidence

Direct and Cross-Examination of Witnesses

Use of Expert at Trial

Proving Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Delivering a Powerful Closing Argument

Post-Trial Relief

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking
credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

ROBERT B. BUCKALEW is a sole practitioner in Little Rock, where he practices in the area of personal injury. Mr. Buckalew has been practicing law for 36 years. He has dealt with such issues as automobile accidents, products liability, the Jones Act, industrial accidents and workers' compensation. Mr. Buckalew is licensed to practice in Arkansas and Missouri. He also is a member of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Buckalew earned his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College and his J.D. degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law.

FLOYD A. HEALY is a solo practitioner in Little Rock with more than 28 years of experience. His main areas of practice are personal injury, family law and civil litigation. Mr. Healy is a member of The Mississippi Bar, the Arkansas and American bar associations, as well as the Mock Court Trial Committee for the Arkansas Bar Association. He earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Mississippi.

R. SHANE STRABALA is a managing partner of Munson, Rowlett, Moore & Boone, P.A., where he holds a broad practice that focuses primarily on civil litigation. At the firm, Mr. Strabala works in the areas of corporate litigation, employment law, insurance defense, product liability defense, and commercial litigation. He is currently a member of the American Bar Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, the Pulaski County Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. In addition, Mr. Strabala has served as a special district judge in his home town of Stuttgart on several occasions. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and his J.D. degree, with high honors, from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

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